A beginner’s guide to investing

Making financial investments has, in the past, been thought of as a specialist area in which only a certain type of individual with a specific knowledge and character can be truly successful. Even today, some people harbor the inaccurate perception that investing requires a great deal of expertise to mitigate risks and make money.

In reality, all of us balance risks against potential reward on an almost daily basis, and this is essentially what investment involves. All it takes is some careful consideration of all the options, coupled with some good financial advice from a trusted source to ensure the markets are properly understood and to build and maintain an impressive, profitable and secure investment portfolio.

Is investment for you?

Investing has become increasingly popular in recent years and far more widespread and diverse as an activity than in the past. There are a range of reasons that have contributed to this phenomenon, but expert commentators point to developments in technology and online platforms providing insight and access into financial markets to a greater range of people, combined with people’s increased confidence and determination to make their money work in the most effective ways.

That said, however appealing it might be, making financial investments is not for everyone and it is crucial that you develop a broad understanding of all the key elements before making that first step.

Research, research, research

To that end, the single most important thing you can do is research and, in doing so, ask yourself the following questions:

What are your goals? Understanding your financial goals is fundamental to creating a strong investment portfolio, as everything you do will come back to these objectives.

What is your attitude toward risk? All investments come with an element of risk and it is important to understand the difference between high-risk investments that usually come with higher potential reward and low risk investments that usually come with lower potential reward.

How much can you afford to invest? While making financial investments can be inherently risky, the best way to minimize such risks is to never invest more than you can afford. Only then can you be sure that such activity will not cause you more financial problems than it solves.

Your answers to these sorts of questions should provide you with a solid grounding to help you decide whether you are ready to engage in the process of making financial investments.

Expert advice and support

While recent technological developments have made it easier than ever to make financial investments, the most successful investors invariably do so with specialist support. This is a huge, complex, and potentially very daunting area and having some support from a trusted organization that specializes in this area can be the difference between success and failure, when it comes to devising your personalized investment strategy.

Such experts will provide insight and guidance with regard to studying the markets. They will help you identify what is succeeding and recommend what you should avoid to build and maintain an effective investment portfolio.

Once this information has been established, a good financial advisor can then help take you through the process of actually investing in something. Depending on your goals and the areas in which you have an interest, investing could include some or all of the following:

Bonds: Purchased from a government or corporate entity, these are a form of debt that provides means to lend your money with the promise of gaining interest. Bonds are one of the least risky types of investments and therefore often appeal to beginners.

Stocks: While the rewards are potentially higher, stocks generally present a greater risk to investors because they represent a form of equity. As a result of purchasing stocks, investors essentially become part owners of a business.

Mutual Funds. This term is used to describe the situation where a group of investors pool their resources to purchase a collection of stocks and bonds, usually through a professional manager. The risks are spread across a range of investment options with a view to balancing risks and rewards in the most effective way.

Excitement and reward

Although it can seem daunting, the rewards of making financial investments are so significant that you should not be easily put off. Making the right preparations is key, and doing some basic research to fully understand all the relevant issues, then enlisting some specialist support, will provide the foundations for the best possible chance of success in this exciting and rewarding field